Texas fuming at FEMA over Ike relief

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Texas officials say the U.S. government needs to step up assistance to families still displaced by Hurricane Ike, particularly energy industry workers.

State Sen. Tommy Williams said the lack of housing for workers could delay plans for the expansion of refineries and chemical plants in the region, the Houston Chronicle said Tuesday.

The newspaper said complaints aired at a hearing in Austin Monday centered on hundreds of families still living in tents while awaiting the arrival of FEMA mobile homes. While FEMA is issuing motel vouchers, there are few rooms available in the area.

"They have been extremely insensitive, in our opinion, to the concept that somebody cannot drive 100 miles a day to keep their job," said Kevin Hamby, general manager of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs.

Hurricane Ike devastated Galveston and areas inland from the Texas Gulf Coast on Sept. 13.

FEMA said that it was still shipping mobile homes into Texas, but the pace was slowed due to necessary site inspections and the need to make utility hookups.